Ok, here is a kind of report card on summer shows- some I mentioned before and at least one i missed then.

The Closer- better than ever in season two. I loved the short arc with her Mom.

Hell's Kitchen- also better this time around. More conflict between the potential chefs to make it even more fun to watch.

Monk- just premiered, but the season premiere was great.

Saved- I didnt make it through the first episode. Not my bag.

ECW- some great matches, but how about some new storylines, guys!

TNA Wrestling- still better than WWE.

The one new show I missed before that had a great premiere. it was "Psyche". It is on after Monk on fridays, and is a perfect match. Picture House as a detective pretending to be a Psychic. I laughed and laughed.

Again, if I have missed something, let me know.

Ok, in the last two days, Ive seen both movies. I can say with no question, if youre gonna see one, see Pirates. Superman Returns at least wasnt as bad as 3 or 4, which were truly awful, but didnt match up to one or two. It had some great characters, and some interesting story lines, but in the end didnt live up to the potential. and, Kevin Spacey as a very cartoonish Lex Luther left me wishing for the Smallville version. But, on the other hand, Pirates was great from start to finish. it lived up to the hype, and left you gasping for more. it managed to be as good as the first one by keeping the same things that worked but with a lot of new twists, and a shock ending that will leave us all breathlessly awaiting pt.3 next Memorial Day. Be ready to deal with crowds, though- I was in a theatre that isnt usually packed, but it had sold out in advance due to Fandango (im glad i use it). Definitly a must see. I wont even try to pick a favorite between it and X-Men Last Stand.

Wow, two entries in one day- had to mention this awesome movie. The best superhero film yet, period. It is rare that you get a film with almost non-stop action that still tells a great story, but this is it. Also, a number of stunning surprises. I will only give a hint- dont assume even that all will survive. a must see. I also love Letterman's description of it (he loved it by the way)- "stuff was just flying around all over the place all the time". good way to put it, Dave.

Sorry it has been so long. between going on nights at work and computer problems at home, Im getting online when I have time. Here are some recommendations for returning shows, good looking new ones, and some ideas for stuff to watch.

Returning-
The Closer- starts Monday night- this one made my list of best TV shows currently on even after one short season last summer. Kyra Sedgewick plays a truly original character, and the writing on this show is brilliant.

Monk- this isnt just a summer show, but the new season starts this month sometime. the funniest show on TV, and another truly original character.

Hell's Kitchen- starts this monday- take "The Apprentice", and mix it with the Food Network, and you get this show. Only thing, the host makes Trump look like a real sweetheart. Worth checking out, though.

Big Brother- starts a week from this wednesday- last summer, this became my guily pleasure. this year is an all star season, and the only one that I know for sure is returning is Howie from last year, the one everyone i know was rooting for to win.

New- not a lot that looks really good, but two worth mentioning-

Saved- starts monday- kind of looks like "House" as a paramedic- if so, it will work for me.

ECW- starts tuesday on Sci Fi- if you like wrestling at all, it will be worth a look- getting lots of push right now.

Others of note-

24- If youve been thinking of checking out this great show, it looks like fox will be replaying season 5 on fridays, starting this friday night- worth setting the VCR for if youre going out.

TNA Wrestling- Thursday nights on Spike- for everyone who is or has gotten burned out on WWE's increasingly risque stories, this is the one. A lot of classic style stories, but done in a lot of original style matches. They have the a six sided ring, and the best type of match going, the ultimate X, which is where two cables are strung over the ring around 15 feet up and where they intersect, the championship belt is hung, or an X, if it is a contender's match. No ladders or anything like that, just three or four guys going at it until one of them can crawl along the cables and get to the prize. they also have the most incredible finishing move in the history of wrestling. It is done by a "bad guy" named Petey Williams, but is so spectacular that the fans go nuts when he does it. It is called "The Canadian Destroyer", and is best described as a "Flip Piledriver". I tape the show because I am at work, and always wind up rewinding the tape and watching the move a few times everytime he is on and does it- its that good.

Have fun watching, and a great summer. if anyone knows some that I have missed, let me know.

If anyone ever wonders where some of these ideas come from, I just watched this year's Smallville cliffhanger. It was another great one from a show known for them. Not in order but at the top.

10. "Who shot J.R." from Dallas- I think this was the first one, but not a particular favorite, but as the first, deserves mention here.

9. Without a trace- last year ended with a shock- the episode appeared to be resolved when some of the agents suddenly came under fire- as I will say again on this list, some of the best ones were ones you never saw coming.

8. "Basics", Star Trek Voyager- this may get some flack, but it was a wild one, with a seemingly insurmountable dilemna.

7. Highlander, pt.1 of the immortal-watchers war. Another cliffhanger that was a surprise.

6. Dynasty, "The Moldavian Massacre"- any cliffhanger where the whole cast gets machine gunned at the end of pt.1 is cool with me.

5. "The Best of Both Worlds", Star Trek TNG- a lot of people's favorite, but I admit Im influenced by how poorly pt.2 lived up to pt.1.

4. Jag, the one with Harm and Mac in Russia. Freezing it with to be continued with a rocket about to hit their jet kept us all wondering all summer.

3. Descent, Star Trek TNG- Would have been number one if pt.2 had lived up to pt.1.

2. Star Trek DS9, the one where Dax dies and Sisko quits- not a true one with everyone in danger, but it was so heartfelt, and seemed to have no solution.

1. Diagnosis Murder, the one where the hospital is blown up. If you see this four parter in syndication now, you have no idea that pt.2 was a shocking, surprise season ending cliffhanger. I watched it when it was originally broadcast, and was floored by it as was everyone I knew. My personal favorite for a slew of reasons.